Round 8: That Ain't Natural

Tim WilloughbyThursday, February 10, 2011

Patrick Chapin vs. Ben Stark (Draft)

"Thanks, you too. It's a pretty good start to a Pro Tour right? I'd probably take 7-1 if someone offered it to me at the start of the day."

"I wouldn't. If I were playing for 7-1 Day 1, I would have a job!"

Patrick Chapin was uncompromising in his search for a perfect record, while his opponent, Ben Stark, was perhaps a little more philosophical about the happy situation the two American pros had found themselves in.

"There's a list of ten drafters that when they tell me the opposite of what I think is true, I find that I was wrong and learn something new," said Chapin. "Ben is definitely on it, along with Gabe Walls, William Jensen, Eric Froehlich, Richie Hoaen, and Kenji Tsumura amongst others."

Chapin continued with the high praise, stating that before about 2007, he really didn't see himself as much of a Limited player. This would be an interesting match.

Ben played a Tumble Magnet and passed, now unwilling to attack. The Tumble Magnet held off Scrapmelter, leading Chapin to get stuck in for just 2 points, before playing Ferrovore and Oculus. Having taken four poison early, Chapin appeared to be right back in the game.

"I hate playing against smart people. It's so much easier when I play against people who mindlessly choose to play every single time."

Stark and Chapin are among the players most apt to question the conventional wisdom of always playing first when given the option. Even in Constructed at events like Pro Tour Hawaii, Stark identified that being on the draw was correct for his deck, and wished that he'd done so even more.

Chapin had a Neurok Replica alongside his Scrapmelter, which quickly fell to Sylvok Replica while Chapin was tapped out. Chapin replaced it with Ferrovore and passed. Stark was now up to six lands, but each was Forest, and he could only nod as he saw an Argent Sphinx from Chapin. At end of turn, Stark played Carrion Call. He'd already shown some combat tricks, but it seemed unlikely that Chapin was in immediate danger. When Stark tried for a Corpse Cur, it was stopped by Steel Sabotage, and Chapin's Game 2 victory seemed all but complete. While it would take a few turns for the Sphinx to end the game, Stark's deck seemed to lack the power it had shown in Game 1.

"Better lucky than good," remarked Patrick, of his good fortune in Game 2.

"Well, I had a nuts draw in Game 1, which means it probably balances out."

A Halt Order from Chapin stopped Sylvok Replica, but it seemed that this game the Liquimetal Coating could prove decisive, as Chapin, with all his card drawing, could not find another Mountain. Stark's Imp attacked for two poison, then another two before Chapin finally drew some sort of an answer in Argent Sphinx.

Stark went deep into thought, then proclaimed that in point of fact, he really didn't need to be thinking so hard. He attacked, and Unnatural Predation followed by Untamed Might sealed things in decisive fashion.